Overview
This project widened two miles of I-5 between NE 99th Street and NE 134th Street, increasing capacity and allowing motorists to move more safely through the corridor. This section of highway was widened from two lanes to three lanes in each direction, plus an auxiliary lane. In addition, the NE 129th Street overpass and the Salmon Creek/NE 117th Street bridges were replaced with ones that meet current design, safety and seismic standards. An additional lane and a second left-turn lane at the northbound I-5 off ramp to NE 134th Street, and a revised traffic signal at NE 134th Street were also added.
Widening this segment of I-5 was one of several projects aimed at improving traffic flow in the I-5 corridor between the Main Street interchange in Vancouver and the I-205 junction. The first project built was the NE 99th Street interchange in 1996, which included widening that section of highway. The second project widened a 2.3-mile section of I-5 from 39th Street in Vancouver north to NE 99th Street. That project was completed in early November 2002
 | Improves Safety
New bridges meeting current design and seismic standards replaced existing bridges. The project also increases capacity and allows motorists to move more safely and efficiently through the I-5 corridor.
|
 | Relieves Congestion
Traffic flows in the I-5 corridor between the Main Street interchange in Vancouver and the I-205 junction have improved. Through computer modeling, it was estimated that if this project wasn’t built, afternoon travel speeds in 2010 and 2020 would be 42 and 26 mph respectively. With this project being built, average travel speeds in 2010 and 2020 are projected to increase to 60 and 51 mph respectively.
|
Partnerships & Cooperation
Public involvement efforts for this project began over 15 years ago, and a variety of public meetings and open houses were held. During project construction, WSDOT updated the public about significant traffic impacts using press releases, the travel advisory, the 5-1-1 traveler information system, and the project Web page.
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
Funding
This project was funded through the following sources:
- Transportation 2003 Account (Nickel Funding) - $37.9 Million
- Other Agency Funds - $1.4 Million -These funds were provided by the Legislature to construct a noise wall not included in the original design.
- Pre-Existing Funds - $4.8 Million
- Local (Utilities, Legacy) - $300,000
- Total Funding Needed- $44.4 Million
Contact Us
Area Engineer Casey Liles
WSDOT Vancouver Area Office
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-1500
E-mail: swVanc@wsdot.wa.gov
or
Communications Manager Sylvia Ross
WSDOT Southwest Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-2078
E-mail: RossSy@wsdot.wa.gov
or access our project feedback form.
back to top